The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-06
AN INFAMOUS LIBEL.
A Mrs. Hoffman Publishes an Infamous
IibeI ON the Family of Horny Clav.

Libel on the Family of Henry CLAW.
From the Jellico, Tenn, News
The speaker was lately in Ashland, and
called at the house of the great Henry Clay,
finding only granddaughter there. She asked
about the family, and found that one of his
sons had died a drunkard, another in
an asylum and the last one, who died recently,
had as an obituary that he was noted for the
quality OF the fine horses he had raised
A grandson was only recently shot in a
saloon here in Louisville.
Henry Clay was undoubtedly the finest and
grandest of men, but he did not live very
clean life, and none of his sons ever rose above
medriocracy and were morally very low.
A decanter always stood npon his side table,
and he always drank at meals, though not to
excess"
The 'Ashland" referred to was the former
home of MIR. Clay, one mile from Lexington,
Kentucky, where Mr.. Clay died. 1t was pJlr-
chased by his son, James Il. Clay, and by him
sold to the state of Kentucky. 1t is now the
ried granddaughter of Mr.. Clay.
AS a friend Of the Clay family, l desire to
denounce the above libel by giving a true his
tory of the family as know them.
Henry Clay family consisted of the follow
ing sons: General Thomas II. Clay was
large land owner, a temperate, Christian gem
tlem2n and we'll known politician, haYing
represented the United States as minister to
Central America. He died on his estate,
Mansfield" about ten years ago.
Henry Clay, Jr., aU0tler son, was the Cap
! tain Clay killed during the war with Mexico,
leaving behind linn q record of glory unsur-
passed in that conflict.
James b. Clay was a prominent politician
and a very wealthy gentleman, Christian and
as moral Il man rs over lived in Kcntuci1Y he
died in Canada la 1868. He served his country
IS minister to Portugal four years. Was repre-
sentative from the Ashland district in congress
for four years, and served the confederate states
as commissioner in Canada He left a large
estate.
John Clay was always a farmer and raiser of
fine stock. He did as much as any man in
Kentucky to make il the great inc stock state
of the United States He was q temperate
man, and universally respected. He died a
short time ago leaving large estate.
One Of Mr.. Clay sons, it is true, was con-
fined in the lunatic asylum and | think died
there, bat incompetence had nothing to do with
his affection. lie met with a severe accident
when young man, the nature of which | do
not recollect, which WAS the sole cause of his
insanity.
have given the above history of five sons of
Henry Clay, none Of whom were ever drunk
ards or even dissipated men, and where Mrs.
Hoffman could have received her information
to base SO malicious libel on this great mans
family, IS q mystery
So much for the sons; now let us see where
are the grandsons.
Henry Clay, Jr., left two sons, both of whom
were killed during tho late War-one wearing
the blue. the other the gray-and are now
y
General Thomas Clay loft two sons. Harry
is wealthy planter, living near Rogegsyille
Tenn, ana Thomas in business at Lexington
ky-both sober, industrious gentlemen, re-
spected 10y every one.
James Il. Clay left six sons. John died in
California, whilst acting as agent for Hagen
y IeyiS, when he was about twenty-five years
oI age. lie was very temperate and a model
gentleman. James Il. is now living near Lex
mgtou, Ky, sober, prosperous, Christian
gentleman. Thomas II. is captain Of the
stan OF General Miles United States army ana
chief Inspector OF vile practice for the DEPART
ment Arizona. thurles is a lieutenant IN tho
United states army Stationed in Montana.
George is n sober, prosperous raiser OF fine
stock, near Lexington, KY
have known these gentlemen for twenty
years and can say truthlully they are tempor-
ate. faithful ia The discharge OF their duties
and universally respected by all who knew
them.
The history of Harry Clay, of Louisville. is
known TOO well IN This state TO reWrte any,
thing ina his Niudicat;on. lie was murdered in
Louisville, and to the disgrace OF the CITY, his
murderer was only sent 60 the penitentiary for
two years. Harry Clay was not a drinking
man, and the day he was killed was the first
time he had touched drop for nearly year.
lie was the leading criminal lawyer in Louis
vile. Ky, and ut his death the favorite for
congress noNt to Albert Willis in the district,
and had ho lived would have filled the senate
ri.l cAair OF his illuStrious grandfather.
the wife of Maior II. G., Mcdowell oil "Ash-
land Her SONS, st least two OF them, are
promising young men, One represents a large
lumber interest near Clay City, Ky, and an
other q large landed and IMMORAL interest
near Big Stone Gap in Virginia, The above
named geNaomOn represent all the male de-
cendeuts Of Henry Clay.
This article is written by one, who has been
a friend OF the Clay family for twenty years,
and every word written is true, and proves that
Mrs. Hoffman. in the pay of the w. c. 4. L.
is publishing au infamous libel on the Clay
family. and were not each and every one Of
them the property OF this state. would not
dare In defend them in this manner. These
young men are public property and should in
the future SO live to reflects additional glory
on the Illustrations name they bear. one which
will 1--we in history rs long as the English lam
guage has readers.
\ sad But Noble Life.
In about the year li53 Charles Brazwell and
has faithful wife Mary b1 farewell TO the
Scottish shores, and breasted a telnpestous sea.
10 mako their home IN the new world. They